pt Congressman Tuck, of South Boston, and a former governor of Virginia, requested the committee to approve the separation. He em phasized Type 21's produetion less-than-demand situation, and added "It is my understanding that separation will in no way damage the producers of other types. At the same time it benefits producers of the Virginia Type ”1 " The Department of Agriculture hr.s reported to the committee t at it considers placing the Vir ginia type on an independent footing would be beneficial al though it would be undesirable for administrative purposes. I'SD.Vs View The proposed change, the de pa rtmeni said, should improve the prospect for placing on a sound basis” the price support program for the Virginia type and should improve prospects for the export market, which takes about one haif of the Virginia dark-fired. J Mott Robertson, who is presi dent of the Virginia organization ol' independent warehousemen, told the committee Virginia dark fired tobacco is being reduced to a point where growers face the threat of going out of production. • We feel that if Type 21 is sepa rated and made to stand on its own feet we would not die as fast as under the present situation." Robertson told the committee. Buyers told of unfilled trade de mands: growers of acreage penal ties because of the tie-in with leaf produced in other states not hav ing Virginia leaf demand. Objections Heard The questioning came from Reprepsetat-ive Watts, of Ken tucky. and Representative Bass, of Tennessee) Both repeatedly asked witnesses their opinion whether or not separation would hurt (.Continued on page 3)

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